Bukele Celebrates '1000 Days Without Homicides' in El Salvador

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21 hrs ago

Above: A soldier stands guard at a bus stop in San Salvador on May 7, 2025. Image copyright: Marvin Recinos/AFP/Getty Images

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The Spin

Pro-government narrative

Bukele's iron-fist approach has put an end to decades of gang terror that claimed thousands of innocent lives. The dramatic security transformation proves that decisive leadership and tough measures work where previous administrations failed miserably. El Salvador is finally enjoying peace.

El Salvador News English

Government-critical narrative

These celebrated security gains mask serious concerns about democratic erosion and human rights violations under an increasingly authoritarian system. The government has deliberately undercounted homicides since 2021 by excluding police killings and skyrocketing prison deaths from official statistics.

Foreign Policy